GERMANS ENTER VILNA

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2572, 21 September 1915, Page 5

GERMANS ENTER VILNA

GREAT CAVALRY ENCOUNTERS : AUSTRIAN DISASTERS : INEVITABLE " ' : ' GERMAN' SUBMARINE SUNK ' . NATIONAL SERVICE MR. LLOYD GEORGE ON. THE - CONTROVERSY Tho Russian fortified position at Vilna lias teen taken by the Germans, as has been expected to happen. The'cavalry of both sides has found freedom for manoeuvring in this Tegion, and both are in contact. In the South, the Austrians are encountering a. series of reverses at the hands of the Russians, and have retired further westward. The situation in the Balkans is still, obscure ;an important con- . ference has taken place at Sofia between King Ferdinand of Bulgaria and the leaders of the Opposition sections in the Sobranje, at which the latter expressed dissent from the Germanophile policy of tho Gov-, eminent; the King subsequently sent for the Premier,-and there is a hint of interesting developments. From a German prisoner "in Flanders, comes a statement indicating that the Germans may make Egypt tlio,objective of an offensive; meanwhile til© Turks are appealing, and apparently in rain, for help from the Germans, there are hints of a winter campaign in Gallipoli.. A German submarine has been sunk off the Norwegian'const, and three of the enemy's hydroplanes ' have been wrecked iri the Baltic. Mr. Lloyd George, in a letter, has made an interesting pronouncement on the great public controversy on national service—compulsory service—which is at present proceeding in England. ' VILNA EVACUATED BY THE RUSSIANS HEAVY CAVALRY FIGHTING AUSTRIAN-DEFEATS IN THE SOUTH The High Commissioner repbrts:— ' ' London, September 19, 6.15 pin "On the Eastern front Vilna *has been captured by the Germans." THE GERMAN OFFICIAL REPORT. • By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright ~ . I "• -.• •' ' Amsterdam, September 19. A German official communique states: "General von Eichh'orn's 'sweenine ' attack against Vilna led to a complete success, and the Russians have been compelled since yesterday to retreat hastily along their entire front. Owin<* to « Generals von'Scholtz's'and von Galhvitz's encircling movements and a simultaneous sharp attack, Vilna, though strongly fortified, has fallen into our hands."- • . , REPORTS FROM THE RUSSIAN FRONT SUCCESSFUL ACTIONS .IN THE SERETH. ', , -n • ■, , , September 19. Reports show that the Russians repulsed attacks north of- Ilhikst They buried many Germans who were lying in heaps in front of their entanglements The. Russians also inflicted great losses on the enemy at the railway station at Yelooka,-west of Illukst. '■ The Germans during their attacks in the region of the lakes south of Dvinsk resorted .to sapping, owing to the deadly nature of the Russian fire. The Germans seized the station at Vileyka. 1 1 ' is intense'fighting on the Middle Vilia, near-Vilna, where the enemy is obstinately endeavouring to break into the town. There is also serious fighting in the Orany sector. - Tho Germans, under cover of a fog, captured on the River Chara pontoons south of Slonim •, . . A general attack oil September 17 in the section Rovno-Kovel drove back the enemy, who retreated in disorder, loaving numerous prisoners of which over 800 were taken at Gorodichi and ISOO in the forest south of -.Th'onman We inflicted considerable defeats on- the right bank of the Seretli. BATTLE PENDING IN THE LIDA DISTRICT ' " ■ (Rec. September 20, 7.35 p.m.) '■ ~ Petrograd, September 19. Tho Germans hare cut the Vilna railways, except the Lida-Vitchy line southwards. A great battle is expected in the £ida district. Tbo Germ-ins <ue only leaving a screen .of troopS south of Dvinsk, to prevent the Russians from reinforcing Vilna. General von Eichhorn's troops have crossed the,Vilia, and another bodv of Germans have crossed the Beresovka, below: the Taoks Lake The outlet from Vilna has thus been narrowed. AUSTRIANS WITHDRAWING FURTHER WEST A GREAT DEFEAT REGARDED AS INEVITABLE. i XT- • i ■ ~ . . London, September 19. A Vienna communique claims that the Russian offensive at Strypa has broken down, but admits that fighting against superior forces is proceeding in tho Volhynia triangle of fortresses. "We are withdrawing on portions of the front to positions further west," • . Geneva, September 19. Telegrams from Lemberg confirm the report that tho Austrians are retreating in disorder-on the Volhynia front. It is considered that a groat Austrian defeat is inevitable. The Russians on tho right side of the Strypa continue the pursuit. Their artillery is causing terrible Austrian losses. CAVALRY WAR IN THE NORTH FLASHING COMBATS BETWEEN MOBILE MASSES. ~ „ ■ , ' . Paris, September 19. M. Mandeau, telegraphing from the Russian Headquarters, says: "The cavalry of the armies of the north have been rapidly grouped and precipitated against the enemy's cavalry. Flashing combats between these.mobile masses are now taking place throughout the whole of the lake region, extending east and north-east of Vilna, between the two main parallel railways— tho Warsaw-' Petrograd lin® and the Seidlitz-Bologo line." ' THE BALKANS AND THE DARDANELLESTDRKS' APPEAL FOR GERMAN ASSISTANCE The High Commissioner 'reports:— • ' ... London, September 19, fi.33 a.m. "The Press is devoting great attention to the Balkans, wliero the position still remains ' obscure. A definite) announcement is unofficially regarded'as iinminfflit. Bulgaria has received a further Note from eaeli of the Entonto Powers. .....'■ "Rumanian opinion inclines to the view that Bulgaria, as a result of concessions granted, will extend benevolent neutrality to Turkey. I '"It is reported that Turkey is appoaling for German assistance lo relievo " tho situation in the Dardanelles, A German offensive in the Balkans is thought, to be probablo. ' ■ ItaKwwft'jjSttulsed three Auetrfgn alternate to crou; Uja SavoJ- 1 -

NEW TURKISH DIVISION BEING RAISED. By Telegraph—Press Association-Copyright Athens, September 19. A Turkish division is being formed at Adana. It is believed that it is either intended for a now Egyptian campaign or for protecting the shores of Syria. The authorities have requisitioned all workmen skilled in well-sinking and drilling artesian wells. ■ ' • A.traveller from. Constantinople states that at least 200,000 Turks have been put out of action during tho campaign, there 'being 123,000 wounded in Constantinople alone. ENVER PASHA CHALLENGES RUSSIA. Geneva, September 19. Tlie German paper "Berliner Tageblatt" publishes an interview with Enver Paslui, the Turkish War Minister, who said: "Wo are ready for a Russian attack on Constantinople. The Russians can move when they like; the Turks have over 2,000,000 men, apart from unarmed Armenians andGrcoks." BULGARIA AND KING FERDINAND OPPOSITION CRITICISES HIS PRO-GERMAN POLICY, ... , ' , , -rr- t, Athens, September 19. It is reported from Sofia that . King Ferdinand of Bulgaria has received the leaders of the Opposition, who expressed themselves as opposed to tho Government's Germanophile policy, and recommended the formation of a new Government. Tho King promised to seriously consider the suggestion. (Rec. September 20, 7.35 p.m.) mi i i ~, * v • -t • Sofia, September 19. The leaders of the five political parties representing the Opposition had a two and a",half hours' audience with tho King, the Crown Prince and M. Dobrovitch, the King's chief counsellor. The deputation urged that it would be fatal to adopt a neutral attitude, and recommended a Coalition Cabinet and tho immediate summoning of the Sobranje, to safeguard the country against a policy contrary to the interests and sentiments of the nation. Tho reception of the deputation has relieved public feelinf. The High Commikioner reports • . ~ London, September 20,4.10 a.m. The "Morning Post's" Athens correspondent says that tho conference of tho Bulgarian party leaders conferred with the King. All pronounced against a policy favourable to the Central Powers, and advised tho formation of a Coalition Cabinet. The King subsequently summoned the Premier. WHAT GERMAN DESERTERS IN FLANDERS SAY.' ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) (Rec. September 20, 5.5 p.m. ) _ ■ , . .. , , , _ London, September 19. , Reports from Amsterdam state German deserters say that they were recently ordered to prepare for a Turkish campaign, their officers telling them that they were about to undertake a new crusade, Egvpt being the objective.